Historical Society of Orange Park

Preserving the HIstory of Orange Park

Vision Statement

The Historical Society of Orange Park exists to educate the community about the rich and dynamic history of the greater Orange Park, Florida area including the contributions of those individuals, civilian and military, that shaped our past and enriched the present.

Mission Statement

To accomplish our objective, the Society collects, preserves and displays historical artifacts and relics of the past. We research and document topics of local interest then share these stories with the community. We collect, preserve and display printed and digital materials of historical value. We arrange or facilitate educational and historical tours, field trips, exhibitions and displays for residents of the greater Orange Park, Florida area.

Get Involved

We are always looking for volunteers to help us make our vision a reality. The Society has opportunities for research, community service and leadership, offering the chance to learn and share local history in a variety of ways. Opportunities include digitizing historical documents, helping with podcast creation, live-history re-enactment and more. We offer people of all ages a chance to help others tell the story. By joining the Society, even if for just one project, you will be fascinated by what there is to learn.

Show Less

Thank You

Get Involved

Whether you help through monetary donations, volunteering your time, or spreading our mission through word-of-mouth, thank you! We couldn't accomplish our goals without the help of supporters like you.

Clarke House Tours

The Clarke House, built in 1912 and located in Clarke House Park, 1039 Kingsley Avenue, is open for tours the second Sunday of each month from 2 PM to 4 PM. Sunday afternoons are the perfect time for a leisurely tour of the house, both upstairs and downstairs.

Orange Park Memories

Many long-time residents will remember The Village Sewing Nook. It served the community for 50 years. As you can see, it was located at the first stop light after the dog track. Each 1st day of the month during 2024, the Historical Society of Orange Park has been sharing vintage newspaper items, clipped from The Breeze newspaper (1959 to 1971). This month’s selection was in the November 12, 1970 edition of the paper.

Honoring our veterans

Veterans Day Ceremony

The Historical Society of Orange Park and the Town of Orange Park invite you to join us at 11 AM, Monday, November 11 for our annual Veterans Day Ceremony to be held at the Orange Park Veterans Memorial, which is located just inside the gates of the town’s historic Magnolia Cemetery, 1040 Kingsley Avenue.

We welcome all to be a part of this moving, patriotic ceremony that pays tribute to those who bravely served our country.

The program for this year’s recognition will include a presentation of the colors by the Orange Park High School NJROTC Color Guard, and musical performances by Kiley Taylor and the First Coast Highlanders. The program features inspiring words from Winette Sandlin, Vice Mayor of the Town of Orange Park, Judy Sweep with the Daughters of the American Revolution, and keynote speaker Kimberly Anding, USAF, Ret., Honor Flight Program Director. Also featured will be local students who will present the winning essays in the 2024 Veterans Day Essay Contest, participation by the American Legion Post #250 Riders and a flyover by the Dreamland Squadron from Haller Airfield.

Seating is limited so attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs. There will be NO parking in the cemetery. Parking is available in the First Baptist Church lot one block west of the cemetery at 1140 Kingsley Avenue. Refreshments will be provided following the ceremony.

Quarterly Member Meeting

Our Founders

Please join us at 5:50 PM, Monday, November 18 at the Orange Park Library for our November Quarterly Meeting. This meeting will feature a presentation entitled: The Winter that Took the Orange Out of Orange Park. The devastating freezes of the winter of 1894-1895 brought agriculture to a standstill in Florida. The frigid weather drove citrus farming from North Florida, negatively affected the livelihoods of many and forced residents out of Orange Park. The impact of this winter was felt in this area for years.

This meeting will also serve as the Annual Meeting of our corporation. Officers for 2025 will be elected. Nominations are still open for those interested in leading the organization.

Holiday Happenings

Hometown Holiday

Join us for the 12th annual Hometown Holiday at Clarke House Park on Friday, December 6 and Saturday, December 7. The event will run from 5 PM to 9 PM each evening. This is always a great family event with something for everyone and every age.

The Clarke House will be decorated for the holidays and open to visitors. Members of the Society will be on hand to answer questions and provide information about the Clarke family and our town’s history.

Other activities will include live musical entertainment, food vendors, pictures with Santa, a Christmas village where you can shop for unique gifts, holiday movies on a large, outdoor screen and trail rides through the trees on a trail decorated with holiday lights.

This old-fashioned holiday celebration is a great way for your family to start the Christmas season!

Parking is available across the street from Clarke House Park at the First Baptist Church of Orange Park. Orange Park Police Officers will be on-site to help everyone safely cross Kingsley Ave. Limited handicap parking is available within the park.

We will again be collecting non-perishable food items to donate to those in need this holiday season. Food items will be collected at the Clarke House. All donations will be delivered to the Clothes Closet for distribution in the Orange Park area.